How to remove Quick tail browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Quick tail?
During our examination of the Quick tail application, we observed its ability to manipulate web browsers by implementing specific modifications to their settings. These types of applications fall under the category of browser hijackers. Usually, browser hijackers are promoted and distributed using deceptive techniques.
Quick tail browser hijacker overview
Quick tail alters the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to tailsearch.com which redirects users to bing.com (via search-checker.com), a widely recognized and legitimate search engine. However, despite its association with bing.com, there are various reasons why complete trust in Quick tail is not be advisable.
Quick tail modifies browser settings without obtaining the user's consent or providing clear notification. This unauthorized alteration can be seen as intrusive and misleading. Furthermore, browser hijackers, even when endorsing legitimate search engines, may still participate in deceitful activities, such as unauthorized data tracking or displaying advertisements without user consent.
In conclusion, although the redirection to bing.com may appear harmless, it is the unauthorized modifications to browser settings and potential privacy concerns that cast doubt on the trustworthiness of Quick tail app. Users should exercise caution and contemplate removing such extensions from their browsers to ensure a safer online experience.
Name | Quick tail |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Quick tail |
Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
Promoted URL | tailsearch.com |
Detection Names (tailsearch.com) | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (tailsearch.com) | 66.175.217.104 |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
More about apps of this type
Browser hijackers can embed themselves deeply within the system, making complete removal a challenging task. Certain browser hijackers can even be engineered to resist removal attempts. Additionally, these hijackers can have detrimental effects on system performance and internet browsing, primarily due to the continuous redirection of searches and the intrusive display of advertisements.
More examples of apps designed to take control over browsers are My Weather Tab, Just Be Productive, and Inspirational Quotes Ext.
How did Quick tail install on my computer?
Browser hijackers often sneak into users' browsers while installing seemingly harmless or free software downloaded from unreliable sources. Certain software bundles include browser hijackers without clear disclosure, leaving users vulnerable to undesired alterations in their browser settings.
Furthermore, interacting with deceptive advertisements, pop-ups, or malicious links is another prevalent avenue that leads to browser hijacking.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Be cautious when downloading and installing software, particularly from sources that are not verified. Reading user reviews, carefully examining installation options for bundled software, and opting for "Advanced" or "Custom" settings to unselect additional applications can also aid in preventing unintended installations.
Avoiding questionable advertisements or pop-ups and steering clear of engaging with suspicious links online can also greatly diminish the likelihood of becoming a target of browser hijacking. If your computer is already infected with Quick tail, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Tailsearch.com redirects to bing.com via search-checker.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Quick tail browser hijacker:
Website promoting Quick tail browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Quick tail?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Quick tail application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Quick tail browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove tailsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove tailsearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Quick tail browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the tailsearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Quick tail browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Quick tail" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Quick tail", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.tailsearch.com) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "tailsearch.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the tailsearch.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Quick tail", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Quick tail", remove hxxp://tailsearch.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with tailsearch.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the tailsearch.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit tailsearch.com website?
By redirecting users to tailsearch.com, the operators can boost the site's traffic metrics, which might be used to inflate the site's perceived popularity or monetize it through advertisements.
Is visiting tailsearch.com a threat to my privacy?
The website might gather information about your browsing habits, IP address, geolocation, device details, and more, without your knowledge or consent. Thus, visiting tailsearch.com can invade privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Your computer might have been compromised by a browser hijacker if you acquired software from sources that are not trustworthy or interacted with misleading advertisements, pop-ups, or links. These hijackers are occasionally bundled with other software installations, frequently without users being informed or aware of their presence.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Quick tail browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will perform a comprehensive scan of your computer and efficiently remove browser-hijacking applications. Attempting manual removal may not provide comprehensive outcomes, especially when dealing with multiple hijackers that can reinstall one another. In such scenarios, it is crucial for users to remove browser-hijacking applications simultaneously.
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